The past couple of days we have been in the little port town of Concarneau. Besides Normandy, this is the first time this trip we have seen the Ocean. It was amazing! A lot less touristy than the bigger places, but still lots to do. We were back in a hostel for these few nights, but this hostel had most of the appealing positive attributes of hostels that we enjoy. Which are: great friendly people to meet, room in the fridge for our food, a kitchen big enough to make meals, breakfast included, and NO SNORERS! Plus, this one was right on the shoreline! Our room was on the second floor, so we had a spectacular view of the rocky shore, all the boats sailing out of Concarneau, the many lighthouses, and the soothing repetitious ocean waves. From my bed on the top bunk, I would roll over, open my eyes in the morning and be greeted by this view. We also met some really cool people at the hostel. In the same room as us were a couple from Germany, Felix and Johanna. They were on summer holidays together and were driving around northern France

. Johanna had worked at this hostel before so she knew where to go and what to see. She is still in school to probably become a teacher. Felix is done his engineering business bachelor, and is on the waiting list to go back to get his masters. Felix is also a big mountain climber and has been many places to do some climbing, including Grassy Lakes near Canmore. Johanna told us about a free reggae concert in the evening at the castle in Concarneau, so after dinner, the four of us walked on over there. The castle was pretty cool. It encloses the old town of Concarneau, and is located right at the inlet to the port. There is a walkway along the top of the castle that has many openings in it for archers and cannons. Johanna told us that a couple years ago the top walkway wasn't open to the public, so I guess we came at the right time. The castle also has only one walkway to it, and during high tide, the castle is completely surrounded by water. The four us couldn't find where the concert was because Johanna accidentally got her dates mixed up. The concert was the next night. But that was ok because there was a three person reggae band playing on the square beside the castle anyways so it didn't matter. There was also a puppet show at the same place after the band finished. Felix and I decided to take a seat on the ground and watch. Soon there were a bunch of kids gathered all around, with their parents standing behind with Jess and Johanna. One little girl sat right between Felix and I, resting her arm on my knee. I guess we just blended in as kids, or we just looked like really nice guys. The puppet show was hilarious! It was complete with a Bob Marley marionette and three inch worms. After the show was done, we all headed back to the hostel. Johanna, Felix and I had some wine and talked until after midnight

During the day, Jess and I walked to a really cool place just outside of Concarneau called Chateau de Keriolet. It was a privately owned palace but tourists could walk around it for free or pay to go inside it. There was only one other family there at the time. The chateau was also close to our favourite discount grocery store, Netto, so we made a stop there before heading back to the hostel. I had no intention of staying three nights by the Ocean and not going for a swim, so I busted out the flip-flops, sported the sweet sock tan and made my way to the beach. I was going solo on this one because my lovely wife is not so much a fan of cold water. There was a strong breeze, which made it that much colder, but I went in anyway. If it wasn't for my years of training doing the polar bear swim at camp and family reunions, I would have jumped back out. It was a wee bit chilly! The end of the day was spent getting to know two sisters from Switzerland, Franziska and Melanie. We enjoyed playing cards talking with them both.

Concarneau is definitely a beautiful little hidden gem in Brittany and we loved it.

Comments

Nana
on Aug 1, 2012 at 06:49PM

The people you's meet up with are amazing!!

Mutti & Father
on Aug 1, 2012 at 11:59PM

I think God sent that little girl to sit with you because you are missing your nieces? They are missing thier Uncle RyRy & Aunie Jess.
Who would of thought your polarbear swims would come in handy Ha! Ha!
Amazing the wonderful people God is bring accross you path during you trip. Love you always, miss you both!